Joge-e, or "two-way pictures," are a type of woodblock print that can be viewed either rightside-up or upside-down. Large numbers of these playful prints were produced for mass consumption in the 19th century, and they commonly featured bizarre faces of deities, monsters or historical figures (including some from China). Only a few examples of original joge-e survive today. Here are a few.
This print by Kuniyoshi (c. 1852) depicts Hotei (Laughing Buddha) and Shoki (a character from the "Romance of the Three Kingdoms"). When viewed upside-down, Hotei becomes Asahina (a character from a popular novel of the time) and Shoki becomes Zhang Fei.
This woodblock print was published by Ezakiya Tatsuzo (c. 1842). Left to right, top to bottom (upside-down image described in parentheses): 1. Small tengu (Gedo, an evil person), 2. King Zhou, Shang Dynasty (Guan Yu), 3. Wind god (Thunder), 4. Nyudo (Pair of frogs), 5. Tengu looking up (Tengu looking down), 6. Tofu Kozo (Mitsume Kozo), 7. Onamuchi-no-mikoto, Shinto god of nation-building, farming, business and medicine (Iruka-no-omi), 8. Cao Cao (Shoki, Zhang Fei), 9. Mikenja (Ghost of Mirin).
This print by Kuniyoshi (c. 1852) shows a Daruma and Tokusakari (a character from a famous Noh play). Viewed upside-down, the Daruma becomes a Gedo (an evil person) and Tokusakari becomes Ikyu (a character from the famous play "Sukeroku").
Created by Yoshitora, 1861. Left column (top to bottom): 1. Fukusuke, god of merchant prosperity (Frog), 2. Evil man (Ebisu, god of fishermen and good luck), 3. Fukurokuju, god of wisdom and longevity (Tanuki, racoon dog with giant scrotum). Center: 4. Ikyu (Foreigner) , 5. Okame (Dekusuke), 6. Gedo, an evil person (Asahina). Right: 7. Hotei, Laughing Buddha (Yakko), 8. Earth god (Mountain god).
Created by Yoshitora, 1862. Left column (top to bottom): 1. Tadafumi (Gedo, an evil person), 2. Hunter (Frog), 3. Small tengu (Big tengu), 4. Bad guy (Bad guy). Center: 5. Two-horned demon (One-horned demon), 6. Kasane, possessed female character in famous Kabuki play (Ugly man), 7. Daruma (Daruma). Right: 8. Foreigner (Ainu), 9. Nio guardian (A-un guardian).
[Images from: Edo no Asobi-e, Tokyo Shoseki, 1988 (out of print)]
Aikyrie
Haha that's so neat! Too bad only a few are around.
[]rey-o
those are pretty fun!
[]Neil Duckett
There's some strange pics there!
[]Red
It kind of reminds me of those fold ins on the back of mad magazine by Al Jaffee.
[]Carolyn
I just discovered this blog today thanks to my curiosity about the cut-face woman. Wonderful stuff! This is such a great collection! :D
[]Fubiz
Funny pictures; :)
[]Hyakutaro
Ahah !! Omoshiroïna !!
[]hydevilist
This is very interesting XD
[]mad
wonderful stuff!
[]Maethelwine
Hey, I just wanted to let you know that I’ve listed you on Japan in Motion’s new “Blogs on Japan” site. This is a new project we’re trying out in the hopes of directing attention to Japan-oriented blogs that we especially like, written from a foreign perspective. They’ll include both well-known blogs and some that are flying under radar. If there are any Japan-based blogs you’ve enjoyed, or read regularly, maybe you could leave a comment and let us know. Thanks, and keep up the good work!
[]Thombeau
I love these! Your blog is fantastic. Go here to see how much it's appreciated!
[]robert
Hope you like my invertible.
[]http://www.robertpetrick.com/cart.html
Ian
This is really cool. It's interesting that these are a piece of Japanese cultural history. In more recent incarnations of the Pokémon games, You can see yourself reflected in the water. The reflection (of yourself, or other characters) looks like another face, reminiscent of this type of print.
[]Kevin
There used to be iced lollies molded like these pics in the 70's in the Uk
[]Jordy Wouters
I love the japanse style!
[]solaceinrage
I found these truly fascinating, and the last one caught my eye and made me laugh a bit. As a video game enthusiast for several decades I automatically classified the square head that is bottom center in the last panel as a "Thwomp" from the Super Mario games.
[]samkok911
Nice Pictures. Thanks.
[]